Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 7

Meiofaunal Distribution on Coral Reefs of Pangkajene Islands, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Susetiono — 2025-09-26

This study investigates the composition and spatial distribution of meiofauna within the shallow coral reef ecosystem of the Pangkajene Islands, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Samples were collected from 19 sites at depths of 6 to 8 meters, which showed stable oceanographic conditions but significant variation in live coral cover, ranging from 10.27% to 78.47%. A total of 13 meiofaunal taxa were identified from the sediment samples, with Nematoda being the most dominant group, making up more than 50% of the total population recorded. Other frequently present taxa included Harpacticoida, Polychaeta, Turbellaria, Foraminifera, and Nauplii. Meiofaunal density varied widely across the sites, from as low as 123 individuals per 10 cm² to as high as 5,235 individuals per 10 cm², with an overall average of 1,037±1,145 individuals per 10 cm². Multivariate analyses, including cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS), identified three distinct station groups, indicating a high level of spatial variation in environmental conditions. Although habitat complexity from live coral structures is a key ecological factor, the study found no direct link between meiofaunal density and live coral cover. Instead, sediment properties such as grain size and organic matter availability had a more substantial influence on meiofaunal distribution. Stations with fine sand sediments generally supported higher meiofaunal abundance. These findings emphasise the importance of benthic microhabitat conditions, especially sediment characteristics, in shaping meiofaunal community structure in coral reef ecosystems. The study also supports the potential of meiofauna as sensitive bioindicators for assessing the health of these habitats.

Co-inoculation Effect of Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

S.V. Kadam — 2025-09-26

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a staple cereal crop, is crucial for feeding the growing human population. Biofertilizers play a major role in increasing nutrient availability for high yield, making them a sustainable alternative or supplement to chemical fertilisers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the co-inoculation effect of Azospirillum Brasiliense and Bacillus subtilis on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis along with a graded level of chemical fertilisers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum) during Rabi, 2018, at the Agronomy farm, Rajarshee Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj College of Agriculture, Kolhapur. The plots were arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. The co-inoculation effect of Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis, along with 75% nitrogen and Phosphorus and 100% potassium, recorded the highest plant height at tillering (25.00), plant height at flowering (87.80cm), plant height at maturity (90.53cm), number of tillers sq.m1 (403.00). In addition, ear length (14.77cm), number of spikelets ear-1 (42.87), number of grain ear^-1 (38.33),1000 grain weight (43.88gm), gram yield (50.63q/ha), straw yield (75.93 q/ha) and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by wheat plant were also found to be increased 120.00 kg hand 37.00kg/ha respectively. The results of the present investigation clearly demonstrate that co-inoculation of wheat seeds with Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis, combined with 75% of the recommended nitrogen and phosphorus and 100% potassium fertiliser, produced results similar to the full 100% NPK treatment. This suggests that 25% of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers can be effectively replaced, leading to significant savings in chemical fertiliser costs without compromising crop performance.

Development Potential of the Areca Nut (Areca catechu L.) in Indonesia

Miftahorrachman — 2025-09-26

The area of Indonesia's Areca nut plantations covers 143,202 hectares and is found across most of the country. The largest concentration is on the island of Sumatra, which accounts for approximately 95,532 hectares or 66.71 % of the total. Areca nuts have a wide range of uses, from traditional ceremonies and textiles to the pharmaceutical industry, making them an important export commodity. Despite their widespread growth and economic importance, research and development into the plant has not kept a significant pace. Exploration efforts to find new, superior varieties that could enrich Indonesia’s genetic diversity and create better seeds have been greatly limited. While 33 provinces in Indonesia have Areca nut populations, only seven have conducted exploration activities with ex-situ collections of 41 Areca accessions and 9 High-Producing Blocks (BPT). To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has officially released only three areca nut varieties as national superior varieties.

Yellow Sticky Traps in Integrated Pest Management: Progress and Challenges

Santhoshraj Nagaraj — 2025-09-26

Effective monitoring and controlling of insect-pests is vital for safeguarding agricultural yields and ensuring food security. Yellow Sticky Traps (YSTs) serve as essential instruments in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, effectively aiding in the monitoring and control of flying insect pests within agricultural and greenhouse environments. These traps take advantage of the powerful visual appeal that numerous insects possess for the color yellow, which mimics floral cues and reflects light at wavelengths that are particularly noticeable to insect photo-receptors. This study emphasizes the evolving significance of YSTs as both monitoring and management tools in sustainable pest control systems. YSTs are presently used in Agriculture to cover and control pests in crops similar as tomatoes, cucumbers, and citrus), Greenhouses (to detect early infestations), Urban Pest Control (to manage houseflies and fungus gnats), and scientific exploration (to study insect geste and population dynamics). YSTs play a crucial role in spotting early infestations, pinpointing pest hotspots, and evaluating the relative abundance and movement of pests like whiteflies, thrips, aphids, and leaf miners. The incorporation of pheromones, kairomones, and UV-reflective coatings has significantly boosted their effectiveness. While YSTs offer affordability, environmental benefits, and user-friendliness, they also have drawbacks, such as the potential to capture non-target species and their restriction to the flying stages of pests. The implementation of high trap densities for mass trapping has proven effective in diminishing pest populations in controlled environments. Their involvement in decision-making and sustainable pest management is continually progressing alongside innovations in lure technology and trap design. However, challenges such as trap saturation, species misidentification, limited integration with automated technologies, and environmental sensitivity remain areas for further research and innovation. Despite these challenges, YSTs remain versatile and eco-friendly components of IPM. In conclusion, while Yellow Sticky Traps alone may not provide complete control in the face of severe infestations, they are an essential component of IPM strategies.

Association of MHC-DRB1 Genotypes and Environmental Factors with Parasitic Load in Osmanabadi Goats

Hajare, B.B — 2025-09-26

Osmanabadi goat is reared in arid and semi-arid regions of India and plays a role in the economy of rural livelihood. Small ruminant practices in India face the major challenge of parasitic infestation. Gastrointestinal nematodes create a major threat to the production performance of small ruminants. Infection in the gastrointestinal tract with parasites is still one of the main constraints to goat production and poses a major global threat to animal production, which leads to serious economic and health problems. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of different genetic and non-genetic factors on parasitic load of these goats in Udgir tehsil of Latur district of Maharashtra, India. The variation due to season, age, sex, farm and genotype of the TaqI locus of the MHC DRB1 gene on Faecal Egg Count (FEC) and Haemonchus Egg Count (HEC) in the flocks was studied. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to analyse all the collected data. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare variables across different categories. The study comprised 84 animals, and the results indicated that the season and genotype had a significant effect on FEC and HEC in these flocks reared in an organised and non-organised farm. The highest FEC values (mean: 1119.047 ± 73.44) were recorded during the monsoon season, followed by the summer season (mean: 403.5714 ± 57.29) and the lowest values (mean: 116.66 ± 28.94) in the winter season. The HEC was also highest (367.469 ± 34.59) in the monsoon, and the winter season had the lowest values (mean: 116.66 ± 17.091). Among the genotypes, the BB genotype had the lowest FEC (mean: 240 ± 39.99), suggesting that the BB genotype might be resistant to parasitic load. Based on the findings in the present study, it is recommended that goat farmers adopt targeted control measures during the monsoon season to manage parasitic infections effectively.

Management Strategies for Sugarcane Borers and Yield Loss Assessment under Changing Climatic Conditions in Andhra Pradesh, India

Bhavani B — 2025-09-26

Sugarcane is an important commercial crop that has been used for centuries as a feedstock for sugar production. Sugarcane borers are among the most critical constraints to cane yield and sugar recovery in India. In Andhra Pradesh, the early shoot borer (ESB), Chilo infuscatellus Snellen and the internode borer (INB), Chilo sacchariphagus indicus Kapur, are the predominant pests, causing substantial yield losses. Considering the severe damage caused by these borers, particularly during the early stages of crop development, effective pest management is essential to maintain optimal plant density and achieve high cane yield. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of borer infestation on cane yield and evaluate the efficacy of various management strategies, including chemical, non-chemical, and integrated pest management (IPM) methods. Field studies were conducted in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) comprised of four treatments and four replications at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, during 2023-24 and 2024-25. The study included four treatments, namely, chemical control, non-chemical control, integrated practices (IPM) involving both chemical and non-chemical methods, and an untreated control. The data on ESB were recorded at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after planting. The data on INB, growth parameters, and juice sucrose were recorded at harvest. Standard procedures were followed for recording observations, and the data were statistically analysed. The results revealed that more than 30% early shoot borer (ESB) incidence and 100% internode borer (INB) infestation with 26.6% intensity reduced the number of millable canes, juice sucrose, and cane weight, resulting in 18.7 per cent yield loss compared to the protected plot with IPM module (chemical + non-chemical). The IPM module significantly reduced the ESB and INB infestations and increased cane yield by 23.1% over the untreated control, achieving a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.73. In chemical and non-chemical methods alone resulted in yield increases of 19.9% and 16.7%, with BCRs of 2.69 and 2.62, respectively. The present findings emphasise the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in controlling sugarcane borers, which demonstrated that combining chemical, cultural, biological, and pheromone-based methods offer an effective approach for managing borer pests in sugarcane. These results also highlight the effectiveness of adopting integrated approaches over standalone chemical or non-chemical methods for sustainable borer pest management and yield enhancement in sugarcane.

Management Protocols for Repeat Breeding Syndrome in a Dairy Farm in Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Parama Singha — 2025-09-26

Background: The repeat breeding syndrome is the major cause of low conception rate in zebu cows. A repeat breeder is generally defined as any cow that has a normal estrus cycle, is free from any palpable abnormalities, shows no abnormal vaginal discharges and has not conceived after three or more successive services.

Aims: The study involved sixty dairy cows aimed at identifying causes of repeat breeding syndrome, assessing the responses to three hormonal protocols, and evaluating conception rates following natural and artificial insemination.

Methodology: The study was conducted at Dairy Castle Farm in Birol, Dinajpur, from June 2018 to May 2019. Three protocols—Select synch, Ovsynch, and PGF2α plus PGF2α—were administered based on rectal palpation findings. Estrus was detected via visual signs and vaginal electrical resistance thrice daily. Cows in estrus were inseminated by Artificial Insemination and natural service. Pregnancy was confirmed by non-return to estrus within 21 days and rectal palpation at 90 days post-insemination. Estrus response, onset/duration, and conception rate were compared using ANOVA and Chi-square test, with significance set at P<0.05).

Results: Among all the experimental cows, 54.72% of cows were diagnosed with cystic ovarian degeneration. The cows of the farm were also diagnosed with 9.43% hypertrophied ovaries, 7.55% inactive (small rudimentary), 5.66% anovulatory heat, 1.89% fibrosis ovary and 1.89% corrugated ovaries. Oestrous response rates were high across all protocols: 100% for Select synch and Ovsynch, and 89.47% for PGF2α plus PGF2α. The mean onset of estrus was similar among groups: 49 ± 3.41 hours for Select synch, 48.6 ± 2.98 hours for Ovsynch, and 44.26 ± 15.8 hours for PGF2α plus PGF2α, with no significant differences observed. Duration of estrus also showed no significant differences, values of 40.1 ± 3.85 hours for Select synch, 47.1 ± 5.61 hours for Ovsynch, and 37.5 ± 13.44 hours for PGF2α plus PGF2α. The conception rates following induction of estrus by Select synch (GnRH+PGF2α) protocol, Ovsynch (GnRH+PGF2α+GnRH) and PGF2α plus PGF2α protocol in dairy cows served naturally used in this experiment were 100%. It can be concluded that hormonal treatments may be effectively used for improving conception rates in repeat breeder dairy cows.

Conclusion: Hormonal protocols effectively synchronised estrus in Repeat Breeding Syndrome (RBS) cows. Conception rates via artificial insemination remained critically low (8%) while natural service achieved 100% conception. To improve reproductive and breeding system (RBS) management, it is essential to ensure strict semen quality control during storage and transport, provide thorough training for artificial insemination (AI) technicians in proper insemination techniques and timing, and prioritise natural service in areas where AI infrastructure is inadequate.

Seasonal Abundance and Diversity of Arthropod Communities in Bt Cotton Agro-ecosystem of Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India

AMBRISHA VENKATESHWAR — 2025-09-26

Cotton is one of the important and leading prime cash crops in the Indian economy. Cultivation of genetically modified Bt cotton resulted in an increase in yield, and the adoption of Bt cotton has decreased the use of chemical pesticides, which are much hazardous for the environment and human health. The cotton ecosystem is a shelter for many pests and predatory arthropod communities. The aim of the study is to investigate the diversity and seasonal patterns of arthropod populations in Bt cotton fields in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, to understand their occurrence, abundance, and impact on the Bt cotton ecosystem. The Present study was conducted at the Bt-cotton fields of the opted study area of Kalaburagi. Various sampling techniques were used to collect arthropod samples, namely, the sweep net technique, pit-fall technique and the light-trap technique. The results clearly suggest that a total of 21 arthropod species were recorded, among them 13 insects were categorised as pests and 8 were natural enemies. Apart from that, 3 species of predatory spiders were recorded. In the Bt cotton agro-ecosystem, leafhoppers, whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mites, and red cotton bugs were abundant during the 35^th, 36^th, 40^th, 38^th, 39^th and 46^th SMW. On the other hand, natural enemies, viz, spiders, ladybird beetles, lace wings, hover flies and ants, were found predominantly for the duration of 34^th to 36^th SMW. A correlation study shows that rainfall had a negative correlation with semilooper, whitefly, leafhopper, hoverfly fly and green lacewings. Significantly positive correlation was observed between maximum temperature and mealy bug, green stink bug, pink bollworm and green lacewing, hoverfly, white flies, and chafer beetle and spider population. Diversity of arthropod fauna was moderate to rich in the Bt cotton agro-ecosystem of the selected study area (H'=2.09) with higher abundance of aphids followed by whiteflies, leaf hoppers, mites, thrips and red cotton bugs. The findings highlight the dynamic interaction between pest and natural enemy populations under varying climatic conditions, providing useful insights for integrated pest management strategies in Bt-cotton cultivation.

Management of Earhead Bug (Leptocorisa spp.) of Rice (Oryza sativa) Using Different Botanicals

Tapas Kumar Hembram — 2025-09-26

Rice (Oryza sativa), an important staple food crop consumed widely in Asian countries, is attacked by several pests. The crop is enriched with a high amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. It provides more than 1/5^th of the calories consumed by humans worldwide. Among the pests, the Gundhi bug or ear head bug (Leptocorisa spp.) is one of the major pests of rice. Leptocorisa spp feeds on rice, leading to losses caused by empty spikelets, small and misshapen kernels, and pecky kernels with unsavoury black spots. Botanicals are now gaining importance to manage crop pests and protect the environment from the toxic effects of pesticides, causing pollution, which is a global concern. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in three consecutive kharif seasons from 2017 to 2019 at the Regional Research Station (Old Alluvial Zone), UBKV, Majhian, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, to evaluate bio-efficacy of different botanicals against rice ear head bug (Leptocorisa spp.). The experimental design was laid out in RBD (Randomised Block Design) using ten treatments and three replications. All the treatments were superior to the control. The mean pooled data of three years exhibited that the Neem Seed Kernel extracts 5%was recorded lowest population (1.80) and highest yield (27.03 quintal/ha) over control and followed by Neem oil 1% (2.08/hill), Pongamia seed kernal extract 5% (2.14/hill), Karanja oil 1% (2.30/hill), Jatropha leaf extract 10% (2.47/hill), Custard apple leaf extract 10% (2.56/hill), Jatropha leaf extract 5%( 2.92/hill) and Custard apple leaf extract 5% (3.05/hill). The untreated control plot recorded the highest population of ear head bug (6.24 /hill) and the lowest grain yield (15.06 q/ha). Considering two parameter efficacy and yield, Neem Seed Kernel extracts 5% was found most effective treatment amongst the botanicals.

Impact of Lantana Camara on Butterfly Diversity in the Urban-Industrial Landscape of Kanpur (U.P), India

Neetu Pandey — 2025-09-26

In essence, butterflies are vital for ecosystem health because they pollinate plants, which are crucial for food chains and biodiversity, and their presence or absence indicates the overall health of an environment. Butterflies rely on specific plant species for egg laying, larval development, and as nectar sources. One of the major challenges affecting butterfly diversity in India, including Kanpur, is the proliferation of Lantana camara, an invasive flowering species. The present study examines the impact of Lantana camara on butterfly diversity in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This study sheds insight into the approach for conserving butterfly species in urban areas of the city. Many Field surveys were conducted over a period of a year in various vegetation-rich places like Allen Forest, Chandrashekhar Azad University, and Shyam Nagar to document the butterfly species visiting Lantana camara as a nectar source. Species richness and their existence were observed prominently every month throughout the study period. The study recorded 19 butterfly species from five major families as Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae. Results indicate that Lantana camara provides a continuous nectar source, attracting a diverse range of butterfly species. However, as an invasive species, it poses ecological concerns by competing with native flora. The study highlights the need for balanced conservation strategies to support butterfly populations while managing the spread of Lantana camara. Future conservation strategies should prioritise maintaining native plant diversity and monitoring butterfly populations as part of broader biodiversity management practices.

Examining the Impact of Supplementary Feeding Strategies on Carp Performance: Results from Frontline Demonstrations

G. Ganesh — 2025-09-26

Supplementary feeding is a critical component of composite carp culture, directly influencing growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and overall productivity. This chapter highlights the strategic approaches for enhancing feed-based aquaculture, including the development of species-specific and life-stage diets, promotion of plant-based and alternative protein sources, establishment of regional feed mills and integration of digital technologies such as automated feeders and real-time monitoring systems. Additionally, farmer-oriented demonstrations and supportive policy interventions are emphasised to facilitate the adoption of best practices. By combining technological innovations, locally accessible feed solutions and targeted training programs, composite carp culture in India can achieve sustainable production, optimise resource utilisation, reduce environmental impact and meet the growing national and global demand for fish. The adoption of these multifaceted strategies promises to strengthen economic viability for farmers while promoting ecological sustainability.